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The Answers might surprise you.
The odd middle child in youth books is the middle-grade book. In my head, I'm writing for a reader between the ages of 10 and fourteen. And yes, I'm writing for myself at that age.
But most of us know a younger child, maybe age seven or eight, who reads "up." Because reading is easy for them and fun, they are soon ready for more ... more adventure, more mystery, more complex stories about youth relationships.
Also, many middle-grade books are read by adults. With my highly-rated "Cheechako" series, for example, readers from as low as age seven to certifiable grandparents tell me they enjoy the stories.
They like a clean, uncomplicated read where the focus remains on plot, character and adventure without the whole raft of other things they end up wading through in so-called adult books.
"Who am I and where do I fit?"
Author Alison Cherry sees it this way. “MG is often more internally focused—about figuring out who you are and how you relate to your family and friends.
In "Cheechako," a lonely boy from 'out east,' Boston, finds life difficult in a small Alaska river town. His life changes when he steps out of his self-isolation to take a chance and ends up making a friend.
It's a coming of age story in the best sense. A youth builds skills, courage, bonds of friendship and responsibility to the point where he can be tested and can survive.
And we all grow and survive with him. It's what the best books do: thrust us into the middle of another person's world and haul us along for the ride.
There are three books in the "Cheechako" series. Someone you know is ready for an Alaskan adventure ... and maybe you are too!
